ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 193.53 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 14.48 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
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VACCINE DOSES
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SUPPLIED
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1,93,53,58,865
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BALANCE AVAILABLE
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14,48,56,780
More than 193.53 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 14.48 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
New Retail Fuel Policy Guidelines
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural  Gas vide Resolution dated 08.11.19 revised the guidelines for authorization to market transportation fuels which have been published in the Gazette of India. The revised guidelines would promote ease of doing business and boost private players to invest in retail sector. The said Resolution is available on the website of MoPNG. The main features of the said guidelines are as below :-
- The resolution applies for marketing of only Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel for “Bulk” and “Retail” business.
- An entity desirous of seeking authorisation for either retail or bulk must have a minimum net worth of Rs. 250 crore at the time of making application. In case authorization is required for both retail and bulk, minimum net worth will be Rs.500 crore.
- Separate applications to be made for retail and Bulk business.
- For retail authorisation, an entity have to set up at least 100 retail outlets, out of which 5 % should be in the notified remote areas within 5 years of the grant of authorization. An effective mechanism has been prescribed to ensure that the entity deliver on its commitment to set up the ROs in remote areas.
- An entity is required to deposit prescribed Bank Guarantee amount as a security at the time of grant of authorization in addition to application fee.
In addition to conventional fuels, the authorized entities are required to install facilities for marketing at least one new generation alternate fuels like Compressed Natural Gas , biofuels, Liquefied Natural Gas , electric vehicle charging points etc. at their proposed retail outlets  within three years of operationalization of the said outlet subject to the entity complying with various other statutory guidelines.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Vice President's Secretariat
India and Singapore are partners in progress and sustainable development: Vice President
Interacts with Singapore Minister of Trade and Industry
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that India and Singapore are partners in progress and sustainable development. He was interacting with the Minister of Trade and Industry, Singapore, Mr. S. Iswaran, who called on him, here today.
The Vice President said that India admires Singapore’s emergence as a shining example of a harmonious, multicultural and multiracial society. He further said that a number of Indian states have developed productive partnership with Singapore. We believe in cooperative and competitive federalism and states are focussing on socio-economic development in a concerted manner, he added.
The Vice President said that that both India and Singapore are important to each other’s progress and prosperity. He further said that Singapore is an important partner in India’s development priorities. India is at the cusp of a major transformation an all spheres including the ease of doing business, he added.
The Vice President expressed his happiness that a Singapore consortium has started developing the start-up area in the new capital city Amaravati of Andhra Pradesh. This can very well develop as a future model for new projects all over India.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
SAI to provide financial assistance to 4 fencers for the upcoming World University Games
Sports Authority of India  will financially support four fencers from the SAI National Centres of Excellence  for the upcoming World University Games in Chengdu, China. The Fencers include Abhay Krishna Shinde , Durgesh Milind Jahagirdar  and NCOE Patiala Athletes Tannu Gulia and Shiksha Ballouria.
Durgesh Milind Jahagirdar Hardeep
As the event is not covered under Fencing’s Annual Calendar for Training and Competition  plans, the World University Games will get international exposure for the athletes. Therefore, SAI has decided to give funding as a special case to the athletes. The 31st edition of the competition is scheduled from July 28 to August 8.
Khyati
Abhay Krishna Shinde
Other NCOE Athletes who have qualified for the World University Games are NCOE Bengaluru Athletes Hardeep  and Khyati , NCOE Trivandrum's taekwondo players Shivangi Chanambam and Parsida Nongmaithem as well as NCOE Itanagar Wushu player Sanma Brahma among many others.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
BLENDING OF ETHANOL IN PETROL
The Government has notified the National Policy on Biofuels- 2018, which envisaged a target of 20% blending of ethanol in petrol by Ethanol Supply Year 2025-26. Accordingly, Oil Marketing Companies  are permitted to sell up to 20% ethanol blended petrol vide notification dated 15.12.2022. Under Ethanol Blended Petrol  Programme, OMCs have saved 433.6 crore litres of petrol on account of ethanol blending during the Ethanol Supply Year  2021-22 resulting in an approximate savings of more than Rs. 20,000 crore of foreign exchange.
At present, under the EBP Programme, ethanol blended petrol is being sold across all States of the country.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri Rameswar Teli, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Steel
Energy Conservation Plays a vital role in Steel Industry- Shri Atul Bhatt, CMD, RINL
RINL has been at the forefront of the energy efficiency movement since its inception and has been demonstrating its supremacy in the conservation of energy year after year, observed Shri Atul Bhatt, CMD, RINL. He was addressing the valedictory function of Energy Conservation Fortnight celebrations held in connection with National Energy Conservation Day at the Visakhapatnam steel plant today.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Atul Bhatt said that RINL installed state-of-the-art cleaner technologies in the design stage itself, such as Coke Dry Quenching, BF Top Pressure Recovery, LD Gas recovery, Waste heat recovery systems in various combustion systems, Continuous Casting in place of steel ingots in steel making. These technologies contributed for reducing specific energy consumption in the design stage itself.
RINL has been awarded the prestigious National Energy Leader award four times in a row by CII. It is a rare achievement in any PSU to obtain National Energy Leader Award with such consistency, Shri Bhatt said.
The employees of RINL have great potential to excel and with the commitment of all employees and unions, RINL will excel beyond expectations and achieve benchmarks in energy consumption in the steel industry," Shri Atul Bhatt added.
Shri Atul Bhatt and the Directors of RINL gave away prizes to the winners of various competitions organised for the employees and schoolchildren to mark the occasion.
Kochi: Aug 13, 2023
In a ground-breaking collaboration for menstrual hygiene, two public sector enterprises under the Government of India, Cochin Shipyard Limited and HLL Lifecare Limited are joining hands to launch the innovative THINKAL –Menstrual Hygiene and Awareness project in Tripunithura Municipality, Ernakulam tomorrow. The joint initiative aims to promote menstrual hygiene among women and is expected to benefit approximately 9000 women in the municipality.
The Project will be launched at a function to be held on 14 August 2023 at the Indira Priyadarshini Layam Koothambalam, Tripunithura. Smt Rema Santhosh, Chairperson, Tripunithura Municipality will inaugurate the project in the presence of Shri Sambath Kumar P.N, AGM , Cochin Shipyard and Shri Rajeev R V, GM  & Unit Chief- KFC & IFC, HLL Lifecare Limited. Free menstrual cups will be distributed to the beneficiaries, during the occasion.
HLL Management Academy, the academic and social development division of HLL is known for its expertise in healthcare management and commitment to social causes. It has been entrusted with the implementation of the project. The project’s primary objective is to raise awareness among girls and women about menstrual hygiene practices, emphasizing the importance of adopting sustainable alternatives to convention menstrual products. In addition to awareness programmes, reusable Menstrual cups that offer a safe eco-friendly and cost-effective solution for menstrual hygiene management will also be distributed to the beneficiaries as part of the Project.
The alliance between two prominent public sector entities marks a significant step towards addressing a crucial issue concerning women’s wellbeing and environmental sustainability.
The THINKAL project has already been implemented in the states of Telangana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and in various block/ gram panchayats, and corporations in Kerala. Kumbalangi Grama Panchayath, the first model tourism village in the country, was declared India's maiden sanitary napkin-free panchayat by Shri Arif Mohammed Khan, Governor of Kerala, on January 13, 2022. This significant achievement was made possible through the successful implementation of the THINKAL project in the panchayat.
Menstrual cup is a game changer helping women to travel freely during their periods and is a much healthier option and also environment friendly. It is made of FDA approved medical grade silicone material and is reusable for up to five years. It is shaped like a bell and is flexible, and considered as a safer alternative to disposable menstrual hygiene products. It is worn inside and unlike tampons and pads, the M-Cup collects menstrual fluid rather than absorbing it. At the end of the monthly period, the M-Cup can be sterilized, usually by boiling in water.
The project will be held for a period of six months and is expected to make a positive difference in the lives of women in Tripunithura Municilipality and beyond.
Ministry of Steel
Meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for Ministry of Steel held today at Tirupati on “Roadmap for Circular Economy in Steel Sector”
Shri Ram Chandra Prasad Singh highlighted the immense possibilities of utilization of waste generated during mining, steel manufacturing process and end of life products
Promoting Circular Economy is one of priority areas of Government
Steel Industry is an integral part of Circular Economy; Steel is ideally suited to remanufactured, reused and ultimately recycled
Promoting Circular Economy is one of priority areas of the Government. The steel industry is an integral part of the circular economy. Steel is ideally suited to be remanufactured, reused and ultimately recycled.
In this background, a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to Ministry of Steel under the Chairmanship of the Steel Minister was convened today at Tirupati to discuss the topic “Roadmap for Circular Economy in Steel Sector”. During the meeting, the concept of circular economy was explained which involves minimization of use of natural resources. This also involves adoption of principle of 6Rs i.e. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover, Redesign and Remanufacture with the objective to increase material resource efficiency and reduce impact on environment.
The Chairman of the Committee, Steel Minister Shri Ram Chandra Prasad Singh highlighted the immense possibilities of utilization of waste generated during mining, steel manufacturing process and end of life products. The Chairman appreciated the suggestions and emphasized that this will boost the investment, employment and growth and is in line with the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister for promoting Circular Economy. Chairman urged upon the stakeholders to take definitive steps towards promoting circular economy and Waste to Wealth in the steel sector
The committee was apprised that manufacturing steel through scrap and other waste products is a step towards Green Steel. It was also highlighted that various wastes, scrap and by-products generated during mining and steel making can be effectively used for making steel and other applications like cement manufacture, road construction, agriculture etc.
In the meeting, discussions were held with the Members of the Committee on the opportunities, benefits, challenges and way forward for creating circular economy in the steel sector. The members of the Committee appreciated the work being done by the Steel Ministry and suggested various steps for achieving the objective of circular economy in the steel sector. The members of the committee also emphasized the need to create awareness and increase the use of steel, especially in the rural areas. The increase in consumption of steel will lead to increase in availability of steel scrap in the future. The members advised that steps should be taken for integration of informal sector into the formal sector which will help in creating a conducive ecosystem for circular economy in the steel sector.
Ministry of Finance
Delhi Customs launches Project ‘NIGAH’ at ICD Garhi Harsaru, Gurugram
Project aims at container tracking and monitor timely clearances to ensure Ease of Doing Business
Chief Commissioner, Delhi Customs Zone, Shri Surjit Bhujabal inaugurated project ‘NIGAH’ at ICD Garhi Harsaru, Gurugram, here today.
Project NIGAH is an initiative to track container by using ICTM  which will help in better visibility of the container movement inside the ICD. It will help Customs to expedite long standing containers and monitor timely clearances, thereby enhancing Ease of Doing Business along with ensuring lead preventive checks. ICTM has been developed in collaboration with the Custodian M/s. GRFL. A live demo of the project was given to all the participants.
On this occasion, the Chief Commissioner thanked the Custodian M/s. GRFL for this innovative development at local level to provide granular level visibility supporting ease of monitoring and to synergise the technological platforms introduced by the government with other stakeholders’ platforms, which will lead India to high standards of EXIM trade. He encouraged other Custodians to replicate the project at ICDs for the benefit of trade.
The function was attended by Commissioner of Customs, ICD Patparganj & Other ICDs Sh. Manish Saxena; Additional Commissioner of Customs Sh. Jayant Sahay; Deputy Commissioner of port Sh Sunil Shrivastava and Smt Jaya Kumari, Vice-President of M/s. GRFL Sh Rajguru with his team; Custodians of ICD Sonepat and ICD Patli and Sh. Puneet Jain, President of Delhi Customs Brokers Association along with other office-bearers. The function was virtually attended by Officers and Custodians of Other ICDs of the Patparganj Commissionerate.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
DEPwD, M/o SJ&E in Association with University of Melbourne, Australia to Organize International Conference on ‘Mental Health – Looking Beyond COVID 19’ Tomorrow
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities , Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in association with University of Melbourne, Australia is organizing an International Conference on ‘Mental Health – Looking beyond COVID 19’ tomorrow  through video conferencing. The Conference will be inaugurated by Dr. Thaawarchand Gehlot, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment and co-chaired by Prof. Craig Jeffrey, Director, Australia-India Institute. The Australian High Commissioner at New Delhi will also participate in the Conference.
The Conference through video conferencing will deliberate on various issues related to mental health rehabilitation, particularly, in the context of situation arising out of COVID 19 pandemic. Experts from India and Australia will touch upon issues such as stress management for frontline non-health workers; multicultural mental health; maintaining mental health: working from home; suicide and associated media reporting in India; Mental Health and Human Rights in India and Australia;Tools to building Mental Health Resilience in people with disabilityetc.
DEPwD had signed anMoU with Govt. of Australia in November 2019 for cooperation in the disability sector. The above Conference is being organized as a joint initiative under the said MoU.
The live streaming of the Conference will be available on Department’s YouTube channel i.e. https://youtu.be/GcNKczaqVsQ.
Prime Minister's Office
PM expresses happiness on Garba attaining popularity among National Games participants
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has said that sports meet provide opportunity to players to get acquainted with diverse cultures.
In response to a tweet by Sports Authority of India, the Prime Minister tweeted.
“Sports meets are interesting because they give an opportunity to players to get acquainted with diverse cultures. Good to see Garba attaining popularity among National Games participants.”
Ministry of Finance
DGGI Gurugram arrests man for forging input tax credit of around Rs 392 crore
The Directorate General of GST Intelligence  Gurugram Zonal Unit , Haryana has arrested one Kabir Kumar, resident of New Delhi on charges of creating and operating fictitious firms on forged documents and passing fake input tax credit by way of issuance of invoices without any actual receipt or supply of goods or services.
It is apparent from the investigation conducted till date, that Kabir Kumar created multiple proprietary companies merely on paper based in Gurgaon, New Delhi, Faridabad, Solan, Noida, Jhajjhar, Sirsa etc. During the investigation of his premises, it was revealed that Kabir had also attempted to flee the city, however, he was prevented from doing so at IGI Airport by the DGGI Officers with the support of Customs and CISF officials.
Further to that, he admitted to creation of 31 firms which have generated bogus invoices without actual supply of goods amounting to Rs. 2993.86 croreand ITC amounting to Rs 392.37 crore. Mutiple evidences, such as laptop, mobile phones and 140 SIM cards were resumed from his person.
The investigation spanned multiple locations in Delhi and based on documentary evidence and statement recorded, it was established that Kabir Kumar is the key person in orchestrating this racket of making fake firms on forged documents. Accordingly, Kabir Kumar was arrested today and produced before Duty Magistrate, Delhi, who ordered judicial custody. A total fake ITC of more than Rs. 392 crore has been thus passed by the accused.
Further investigations in the matter are under progress.
Ministry of Steel
Union Steel Minister Addresses Major Steel Users of North West Region at a Customer Meet
The Union Steel Minister, Shri Ram Chandra Prasad Singh addressed major steel users of North West Region at a Customer Meet organised by Steel Authority of India Ltd.  in Chandigarh yesterday. While addressing the gathering, Shri Singh emphasized that production of steel in India has been envisaged at 300 Million Tonnes annually as per National Steel Policy keeping the increased domestic consumption in mind. The Union Government is working on various fronts of economy to support infrastructure, industry, exports etc. These efforts require higher production and will see a matching increase in steel consumption. All enabling support will be extended by the Ministry of Steel to all stakeholders, within the ambit of Atmanirbhar Bharat, to see the targets set are achieved. He underlined various initiatives and schemes of Government that are aimed at greater economic activity in the country in general and increased consumption of the steel in the country in particular.
Steel Authority of India Limited, India’s largest Steel PSU, had organised a customer meet at Chandigarh where 45 customers representing diverse segments of Steel industry viz. LPG, Boilers, Cold reducers, Pipe manufacturers, Rerollers, Railway fabricators, Projects etc from Chandigarh, Ludhiana and MandiGovindgarh attended the programme at Chandigarh on 19thDecember. Customers presented their views on valuable contribution of state run SAIL during 2020 ensuring availability of material. Importance of LPG requirements, Future demand of Plates, MSME demand, etc. were deliberated upon.
Smt Rasika Chuabe, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Steel and Ms Soma Mondal Chairperson SAIL were also present at this interaction.
Prime Minister's Office
PM remembers Bodofa Upendranath Brahma on his birth anniversary
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Bodofa Upendranath Brahma on his birth anniversary. Shri Modi said that the life of Bodofa Upendranath Brahma was devoted to the welfare of people. The Government of India and Assam Government are making numerous efforts to realise his dreams and work for the empowerment of the wonderful Bodo people, the Prime Minister further added.
In reply to the tweet thread by Assam Chief Minister, Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Prime Minister said;
“The life of Bodofa Upendranath Brahma was devoted to the welfare of people. Remembering him on his birth anniversary. The Government of India and Assam Government are making numerous efforts to realise his dreams and work for the empowerment of the wonderful Bodo people.”